Guggenheim restated their neutral rating on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD – Free Report) in a research note released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports.
A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on WBD. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in a research report on Monday, March 9th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $31.00 price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $29.50 to $31.00 in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Raymond James Financial restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in a research report on Friday, February 27th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $31.00 price objective on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $26.36.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery Trading Down 0.3%
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported ($1.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.10) by ($1.07). Warner Bros. Discovery had a negative return on equity of 4.66% and a negative net margin of 4.67%.The business had revenue of $8.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.18) earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Warner Bros. Discovery will post -0.14 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Activity
In other Warner Bros. Discovery news, insider Gerhard Zeiler sold 600,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.02, for a total transaction of $16,812,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 672,649 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,847,624.98. This trade represents a 47.15% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Bruce Campbell sold 1,580,331 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.00, for a total transaction of $44,249,268.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 690,028 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,320,784. The trade was a 69.61% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 8,206,827 shares of company stock worth $230,674,025 in the last 90 days. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Warner Bros. Discovery
Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Warner Bros. Discovery during the 1st quarter valued at about $108,000. Convergence Investment Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 9.4% in the 1st quarter. Convergence Investment Partners LLC now owns 8,782 shares of the company’s stock worth $241,000 after purchasing an additional 755 shares during the last quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in the 1st quarter worth approximately $11,888,000. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 22,157 shares of the company’s stock worth $608,000 after purchasing an additional 1,578 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in the 1st quarter worth approximately $161,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.95% of the company’s stock.
Trending Headlines about Warner Bros. Discovery
Here are the key news stories impacting Warner Bros. Discovery this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Global streaming growth and HBO Max expansion accelerated subscriber gains, pushing total subs above 140 million — a key proof point for WBD’s recurring‑revenue story. Warner Bros. Discovery tops 140M subs as Paramount sale nears
- Positive Sentiment: Management emphasized HBO Max as “probably” the company’s most important asset — underlining focus on global streaming and monetization strategy that could support long‑term margins and valuation. David Zaslav Says HBO Max Is “Probably” Warner Bros. Discovery’s “Most Important Asset”
- Positive Sentiment: Streaming revenue grew better‑than‑expected in the quarter as HBO Max’s international push boosted engagement — a sign that core subscription metrics are improving despite near‑term noise. Warner Bros Discovery’s streaming growth accelerates on global HBO Max push
- Neutral Sentiment: Analysts at Guggenheim reaffirmed a neutral rating on WBD, leaving guidance/estimates unchanged — a steadying but non‑catalytic signal for the stock. Benzinga coverage
- Neutral Sentiment: Speculative commentary and takeover chatter continue (including analysis that a Paramount Skydance acquisition could occur), which keeps buyout expectations in play but also raises execution and timing uncertainty. Warner Bros. Discovery: Time To Look Forward To Paramount
- Negative Sentiment: WBD reported a large first‑quarter net loss driven by a $2.8B termination fee tied to the deal shuffle (Paramount/Netflix swap), producing a reported ~$2.9B hit that is expected to be largely a one‑time accounting charge but crushed headline profitability. WBD Sees $2.9 Billion Q1 Loss On M&A Charges Including Termination Fee
- Negative Sentiment: Quarterly results missed expectations: EPS missed by a wide margin (reported loss $1.17 vs. consensus ~($0.10)), and revenue was roughly flat/down year‑over‑year — details that pressured the stock once one‑time noise was stripped away. Warner Bros. Discovery Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Fall Y/Y
- Negative Sentiment: Press commentary around legacy news brands (e.g., Ted Turner’s criticisms of CNN) adds reputational noise but is unlikely to be a primary driver of near‑term financials. Ted Turner Watched CNN Go From “World Peace Through Hard News” to “Dumbed Down” Infotainment
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a global media and entertainment company formed when WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc combined their businesses in 2022. Headquartered in New York City, the company assembles a broad portfolio of film and television production, linear and cable networks, streaming services and consumer distribution operations. Its assets span well-known studio brands, premium scripted and unscripted programming, news and factual entertainment, and licensed franchise properties.
The company’s core activities include film and television production and distribution through units such as Warner Bros.
Further Reading
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